Tyler Allen Molacek, 26, has been charged with theft, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On Oct. 15, a Martin County Sheriff’s deputy received information stating that three trailers had been stolen from a property in Dunnell.

The deputy spoke with the owner of the trailers, who said he saw his trailers outside his shop Oct. 15, and explained he went back to his shop Oct. 16 and noticed the trailers missing. The man estimated the value of the trailers at $9,000.

On Oct. 16, the deputy went to the man’s shop, located in the 300 block of Wenberg Street in Dunnell. The man showed the deputy where the three trailers had been sitting. The deputy observed tire marks and footprints nearby.

On Nov. 2, 2019, the deputy received a phone call from a deputy with the Emmet County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office. The Emmet County deputy indicated they had some stolen property in their possession, including three trailers discovered at the property of Molacek.

Police reports from Estherville, Iowa, indicated witnesses told investigators that Molacek was involved in stealing property in Minnesota.

The Emmet County deputy texted pictures of two of the trailers, one of which the alleged victim was able to identify as one that had been stolen. The man was later able to identify two more trailers from additional pictures.

On Nov. 18, the deputy went to Molacek’s residence in Estherville, Iowa, to interview him. Molacek was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions.

During the interview, Molacek said another individual dropped off the trailers at his house so they could work on them. Molacek said he did not know the trailers were stolen.

Toward the end of the interview, the officer asked to see the bottom of Molacek’s shoe, which matched the shoe prints left at the scene of the trailer theft.

On Nov. 23, the deputy again spoke with Molacek. During the interview, Molacek indicated no one had borrowed his shoes.

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